Welcome to the web pages of Meido-Kan Karate Espoo. We are a nonprofit karate club that is a member of both the Finnish and World Karate Federations. We practice Shoko-ryu karate (a Finnish style developed from Shorinji-ryu style), which is a straightforward and pragmatic style that also develops the athletic abilities of its practitioners.

Our members range from beginners to former European champions and from youngsters to senior citizens. In addition to general training we have a separate basic course with an emphasis on family karate, in which parents and children practice together. We practice in Espoo at the Tapiola Mankkaa sports hall and the Finnoo school (see maps and times in Finnish). All our coaches speak English. However, some fluency in basic Finnish will be helpful.

Want to join us? If you already have a belt degree, just come and practice with us, and if you like it, pay the practice fee. If you are interested in the basics, sign up for our basic course. For further information, please send an email to juhana (at) meidokan.net. Shoko – Ryu Karate Course
Instructors : Juhana Niku-Paavola (course responsible)
Practice times: Tuesdays 17:00 – 18:30 and Saturdays from 10:00 – 11:30 at Finnoo school.

The course starts on August 30th, 2016, and ends with the yellow belt examination, which will be held in early December. The early part of the course focuses on conditioning and learning the basic techniques: stances, blocks, punches, kicks, and kata (sequence of movements). The techniques are practiced stationary, in moving formation (kihon), as well as in pairs. Towards the end of the course techniques are combined to form sequences, techniques involving an opponent are practiced, as well as kata, and we prepare for the belt examination. After the belt exam, you may participate in general training with other karatekas of the club. 
What does the course consist of, and what will you learn?

– Training Protocol (Dojo etiquette) – readiness to participate in martial art training
– Basic techniques :
    * Stances (naihanchidachi, zenkutsudachi, shikodachi, hamnigamai, mawatte)
    * Basic punches ( sonobazuki, gyakuzuki, junzuki, tobikomizuki )
    * Basic kicks (maegeri, mawashigeri, sokutogeri)
    * Blocks (yodanuke, gedanbarai, uchiuke, sotouke)
    * Combination techniques (block + counter technique)
    * Kata (Ken Shi Ho)
– Self-defense (control of the situation, release techniques, falling technique – ukemi)
– Proper stretching, improved mobility
– Conditioning and improved co-ordination

TrainingPractice gear: Sweatpants and a t-shirt or karate suit (gi), barefooted. Dojo hygiene: Use e.g. flip-flops in the corridors. Wash dirty feet before practice. Keep your finger and toe nails short. Take off watches and all jewelry. Tape piercings if they are hard to remove. Tie back long hair. Place your cell phone on silent mode. Courtesy and Respect: Karate itself, the instructors and the training partners are shown respect by bowing. Bow without command when you enter and leave the practice hall (dojo), on command at the beginning and end of practice, and to your pair at the beginning and end of each pair drill. Train seriously:Training should be fun, but do not disturb others. Follow the instructions of the instructor. Adapt the training to your fitness level. Safety: Do only what the instructor tells you to and do not apply your own techniques, especially in drills with a pair. Tell the instructor if you hurt yourself, or if you need to leave before the end of practice. Adults shall observe the children when moving in the dojo. If you are late for practice: Bow when you enter, kneel down (sit on your knees) next to the wall and close to the door, and wait for the instructor’s instructions. The instructor is also responsible for the warm-up of those arriving late.
Course fees:
The course fee for the first family member is 115 EUR, for the second one 85 EUR, and 70 EUR for any following ones. Everyone shall fill in the club membership application at www.meidokan.net/jasenhakemus/ .

The course fee includes both the practice fee for the autumn season and the karate passport fee (25 EUR), and it is due by 15/09/2015, paid to Meido-Kan Karate Espoo Association’s account FI21 6601 0001 0146 87. State the names of all the people covered by the payment in the reference field.

The course participant will receive a karate passport. In order to do so, you will need to bring two passport-sized photos with your name on the back to the instructor, course responsible (Sami), or to the membership register responsible (Tiina). After you have brought the photos and paid the course fee, you will receive your karate passport at practice.

Inquiries:

COURSE RESPONSIBLE: Juhana Niku-Paavola, juhana.niku-paavola (at) kolumbus.fi  +358 40 832 3688